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3/5/2009
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RELATING TO ONE
ANOTHER
by Rev. Don Rivers |
Thanks for allowing me to take some time off last week. We have hit the home
stretch, four weeks left until the Icebreaker! We have one more section of
Scripture to cover in these next few weeks and I think it will change the
way we look at things. Have you ever noticed that the grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence? Until you go over there and realize
that it is artificial turf! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Changing dance partners is a phrase we hear in racing when things
are not going the way we expected. We switch things around to see if we can
find the right combination of people to make the team work. Sometimes this
change is peaceful and sometimes there are hard feelings. How is it that
something that seemed so right at one point now is all wrong? I think it has
to do with human nature, our unwillingness to see things from a different
perspective. The teams that are successful are also the most flexible.
Have you ever noticed that some teams are surrounded by change and
others stay pretty consistent? In my observation the teams that are the most
stable tend to perform the best. The ones that are always changing and do
not have some sort of foundation to hold them do not. You can look across
the sporting world and you can see teams that are successful when the
leadership is consistent and when the leader is changing every other week
the performance is lacking.
I am a UCONN fan and the secret to the success of UCONN Athletics
is due to the stability of the leadership; coaches that are here for the
long run. Yes, we have had our ups and downs but the fact remains the
university has fundamentally changed for the good in a large part due to
this fact.
I look at race teams and the ones that are consistent performers
are the ones that are less likely to change personnel every year. They have
a stability and purpose. Jesus helps us understand that we are too quick to
change dance partners in life. Whether it be in marriage, friendships or
even acquaintances we switch instead of putting forth the effort to build.
For the next four weeks we are going to delve into this last
section of The Sermon on the Mount to close out our Winter Bible Study. It
is a pretty sweeping realignment of the way we tend to see things so stick
with me and we will tackle it together.
Matthew 5:31-6:4, "It has
been said, `Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of
divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for
marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who
marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do
not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I
tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or
by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem , for it is the city
of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even
one hair white or black. Simply let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your`No,' `No';
anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
"You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for
tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you
on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue
you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces
you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and
do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are
not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers,
what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
"Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to
be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in
heaven.
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by
men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when
you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees
what is done in secret, will reward you.
Looking closely at this passage you can see that it covers the way
we need to deal with the relationships of life. It starts with the most
significant one and goes from there. We will spend some time looking at each
of them.
Two weeks ago we talked about marriage and the significance of that
relationship in God’s eyes. In society today the marriage relationship has
become one of convenience. The term irreconcilable differences has grown to
mean we just do not want to try. Jesus said there is only one reason to get
divorced, marital unfaithfulness, anything else is adultery. In view of what
we see around us how can we deal with such a high standard? First remember
that God’s standard is the highest and the best. If we can live our lives by
God’s standard then we will live the best life possible. Knowing that we
shouldn’t enter into the marriage relationship lightly, we should view it
like God does, til death do we part. Jesus says here the only excuse is when
the trust is gone, when one or both violate the trust that marriage is built
on, unfaithfulness.
We get into the area of permission and forgiveness here. How many
of us have thought to ask God what he thought we should do as it relates to
marriage? Did we take the time to ask for His direction and guidance before
we entered into the most significant relationship we could have?
Life being what it is we all make choices that do not please God,
choices that He would rather we didn’t make. With those choices come the
consequences of living our lives differently than God would want. We cannot
go back and remove them, but we can move forward from here and seek God’s
direction in the future. The process of getting things back in line is
available from God in the form of forgiveness.
We first have to admit our mistakes and take responsibility for
them, they were our choices not someone else’s. We then have to go before
God’s throne and seek His forgiveness. Once requested we are forgiven and
now we can move forward in our lives recommitted to following God’s
direction. We can because of the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins on the
cross. We have hope even when we make the wrong choice. That hope is Jesus
Christ.
As we start down this road of getting the relationships in our life
in line with God I think a good place to start is at the feet of God’s
throne. Take some time this week and sit there. Open your heart and ask his
forgiveness. Receive it and start life anew, restored and useful to God.
Matthew 6: 7-8 "Ask and
it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to
him who knocks, the door will be opened.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
SPEEDWAY EXPO - Spent the weekend in West Springfield ,
MA at Speedway Expo. It was great to catch up with friends and see what
everyone is planning for the race season. I hung out with the Race Depot
bunch. The show was a little down from last year as one might expect with
the economy. Some folks had a great show while others were pleased
considering the state of things. No matter what the size this is a right of
spring, the kickoff to the racing season and a necessity for all of us with
cabin fever. Get the ice picks out and let’s get ready to break some ice!
HARDCORE RACING SHOW RETURNS -
For those who think PRI has gone soft and really don’t think Orlando has
anything to offer hardcore racers the wait is over. IMIS Indy has been
launched. Make your plans now to be in Indy on December 2-3 for a hardcore
racing industry show. I have never been to Indy but I have this on my
calendar as a must see.
ACCESSIBILITY RACING - From the
guys who put together a race car with hand controls comes a game controller
for the disabled drivers. Made to mimic the hand controls they would use to
drive their vehicles they can now enjoy the fun of sim racing. Rick Riduca
was last seen so involved with the game that he forgot to go home. If you
get a chance ask the boys from Hinchman about the calzone they had
delivered. They had enough to share with the whole aisle!
FROSTBITE - Watching the snow
fall in North Carolina make me wonder if it will clear enough for next
weekend. They may get frostbite out there clearing the roads. I saw them
plowing with a road grader. If it melts we’ll be there, if not we’ll go next
week. I am looking forward to seeing some live racing action.
PROVIDENCE - If you can’t make
it down to the snowy south then head to the Dunk and take in the indoor
racing show. TC and Steffy headline at the a who’s who on TQ Midget racing.
Get out there and support this event and they might be able to expand to
other cities in the Northeast. Look for changes to be announced to the dates
of Motorsports 2010 and the indoor racing at the Boardwalk Hotel. It looks
like a trip to Tulsa for some chili might be possible this winter.
Brother Bob asked if we could reach out to John McHale who
went through an operation and is in need of some encouragement. John used to
race PRO 4 and wished RWJM was around when he raced. Please take the time to
let John you are thinking of him. Cards will reach him at 35 Maple St.
Waretown , NJ . 08758
I am looking forward as I am sure you are to the upcoming season.
It has the potential to be a great one if those who truly love racing will
go out and support their local track. Let’s let our voice be heard loud and
clear, we want racing in our backyard!
Be a witness for our
Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel
Store at www.RWJM.org.
Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer
needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing
Family Prayer Request Page
www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail.
Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News", the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper" See our on-line Apparel
Store for subscription information. Check our home page
www.rwjm.org for past
articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.
Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
March 4
VIC & SANDY KANGAS - The WC/BGN Crew Chief and wife have their
46th.
March 6
WARREN & ROSE FRYE - "Jeep" is a well-known team owner of the Bunky
Higbee No. 26. He and wife Rose share their 58th anniversay down in Delaware
.
ROY & DONNA HANKS - This Somers, CT LM driver and wife share their
32nd anniversary.
March 8
JAMES & KATIE STANDLEY - This dedicated Christian couple are the
proprietors of Design 500 and Lady Eagle Safetywear in Seattle , WA ,
racing's leading uniform and team wear maker. Visit them at
www.design500.com as
they celebrate their 17th.
BARRY & KIM BABB - This Maine LM driver and wife have their 21st.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 4
RICK MAST - Virginia NNC retired driver.
GARY MYERS - NC Modified driver.
BILL GREENE - Ellington, CT crewman of the Bobby Georgiades CT
Modified team.
NANCY LaBONNE - East Hartford, CT wife of Stafford LM crewman Rich
Caouette.
March 5
GARY DIONNE - Former Dave Dion NASCAR CWES crewman, now Acton , CA
movie stunt car driver and RWJM West Coast Coordinator.
PAUL CLAPROOD - 2000 Championship NASCAR WMT Co-Crew Chief now in NC
with the Ganassi/Sabco NNC team in final assembly.
RON HEDGER - NY based NSS writer.
PHIL BARIL, JR. - Son of NH LM driver, Phil, Sr.
LUKE WILLIAM BOEHLER - This future team owner is the son of BRE
Racing FMS Team owner Mike and Sarah and turns 5.
March 6
PAT WARD - NY D.I.R.T. Fonda Speedway Modified driver.
JACK ELY,JR. - NJ asphalt Mod driver.
RONNIE THOMAS - Christiansburg, VA LMSC driver.
BETTY FEARN - Spending the winter in Florida with husband Dick, the
mom of ProStock driver Tom from Feeding Hills , MA .
JASLYN WILLIAMS - Wife of Carson City, NV Midget driver J.R.
LINDA TAGG - Wife of Webster , MA retired Thompson Speedway Mod
driver Tom.
JACOB CHRISTOPHER MANIX - Judy's son and nephew of Plainville , CT
twin drivers Ted and Mike Christopher is 12.
March 7
JEFF WITHEY - From Clifton Park, NY, Jeff writes about Fonda , NY
Speedway for "Area Auto Racing News."
RYAN DALE HUNSINGER - Son of dirt late model and IMCA modified driver
Ricky Hunsinger and wife Nakeisha. He is also the little brother of AJ
Hunsinger mini stock driver, based in Northeastern PA, will be turning 6.
March 8
KIRK SHELMERDINE - Welcome,NC ARCA/NASCAR driver; NSC/NNS Crew Chief.
DONALD J. WORTH - NJ loyal fan of retired Wall Township Speedway
Modified great, Gil Hearn and NNC's Jeff Gordon.
March 9
CRAIG KEEL - WoO Sprint driver.
WARREN FRYE - "Jeep" is the Delaware based owner of the Bunky Higbee
No. 26, rememberd for multiple feature wins.
March 10
MIKE WALLACE - The driving middle brother of the famous racing
Wallace's with Kenny and Rusty.
DEAN CHRYSTAL - Milford, ME NASCAR CWES driver/ Graphics specialist.
ALFRED HILL - NC Modified driver.
MATT EMHOFF - York, Maine . He is a member of Ken and Art Barry's
crew on the 21 Spearpoint Racing team.
RAQUEL RIOLO - Daughter of Stafford LM driver Joe and wife Brenda is
12.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
BILL FINNEGAN - On Saturday mornings, when the Wall Stadium runs,
they have a Green flag driving experience, were people can take rides in
either a 3/4 midget, legends car or a modified. An old gentleman came by to
drive a racecar. He said he has been a fan at Wall for many years and wanted
to drive a racecar. We talked and I told him of the ministry and he was
pleased that I did that for the drivers. He went to church, when his health
would allow it and knew the power of God. He wanted to drive a modified that
day, about 2 years ago, because he had cancer and was feeling good, at the
time and knew he could handle it. Well, the mod wasn't there that day so he
drove a TQ. He had a great time and said he would be back in '08, to drive
the modified. We stayed in touch, to pray for his health. Last week I called
to tell him the track would be open and the driving experience would run
also. He was glad to finally get the chance to drive the mod. Monday his
wife Barbara called me to tell me Bill had passed away. She said Bill wanted
to make sure she called "his chaplain buddy" from the track if anything were
to happen to him. She said Bill was pleased with the way I dealt with him
and was glad for the ministry that was at the track. She gave me her address
and asked if I would pass it along to you. Cards of sympathy can reach
Barbara Finnegan at 94 Rumson Road Little Silver N.J.07739.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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Source: Rev
Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: March
5, 2009 |
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